Every parent or child care provider has found themselves in a situation when the children are bored. They will act up and rival with each other if they aren’t amused and in a stimulating situation. Children get bored easily even if you treat them to the newest and greatest hot toy of the month. They want every toy they see when you go shopping with them. If you buy them a new toy the newness wears off quickly, and your back to square one. Try boxing up half of their toys and storing them away-for awhile. They won’t even miss them. As time passes add a toy from storage back to the mix and it will become new again. Take away toys from the first batch that wasn’t stored. Keep the change and flow in motion to create a new look, and an endless supply of renewed fun.
Save your juice jars and lids, the plastic type. Wash them out, fill with water about little more than half way full. Insert objects of interest that will fit into the mouth of the jar. Shinny things work well. You can use any objects that will stand up to being submerged in water. A quick look into the junk drawer is in order. Paper clips, buttons, screws, small toys and balls are good choices. After you fill the jar with enough items to create a water wonder you glue the lid back on the jar. It’s ready for play. Children love to roll it around, carry it and share it. They love to see and point and name the objects in the water wonder jar. You can have even more fun by adding food coloring to the water. Keep several jugs on hand so you can change up the fun. Add glitter for a unique effect, and keep an eye out for small objects to add to the jars. Making several for a daycare situation is easy, fast, and inexpensive. Great for hand and eye coordination. You can have older children help to make the water wonder jugs. When collecting the small objects, ensure they are in a safe container out of the reach of the little ones.
They say duct tape is man’s best friend: not any more. Get a roll of duct tape and place a long strip of the tape on a carpet or any flat surface. The strip of tape is a built in fun zone. Instruct the children to take turns walking the line of tape. Keeping both feet on the tape with each step. They can jump over the line, run down the line, hop on the line, one foot or two footed, or scoot on down. Many variations can be installed. It’s all in fun and just another way to amuse the children without breaking the bank. Duct tape also comes in many different colors so you can have several lines going for the daycare set and the colors just add to the attraction. It’s great fun and great exercise. If you place the tape on carpet lift it off after use so as not to harm the carpet or crush the fibers.
Another fun activity, although messy is the art of whipped cream. Get several cans of the squirt type. You can cover the floor with a vinyl table cloth or plastic sheet. Have the children sit at a child size table and dressed in a big over shirt for clothing protection. Squirt the cream in blobs around the table and watch the fun begin! You won’t even have to tell them what to do. They will smash it, finger write in it, smear it all around. Add more as needed to keep the interest going. Take pictures of the fun to share with other family members or parents. If the children put their hands in their mouth it won’t harm them. The activity is great for promoting fine motor skills.
Don’t forget to have a fun time set up for the bigger kids, they can string cereal rings on to string and make necklaces and bracelets for everyone. These are edible and make great gifts. Whether it’s a rainy day or a sunny day, kids can have fun with your help. Gather all your supplies before hand and watch the fun that never ends.
